UPDATE: 37 arrested in Perry as part of 'Operation Black Friday'

Cris Ritchie — Editor

November 1, 2013

HAZARD – Authorities fanned out across the state Friday in an attempt to arrest hundreds of people in what officials with the Kentucky State Police are calling the “largest one-day drug round-up in agency history.”KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer announced the initiative, dubbed “Operation Black Friday,” during a press conference Friday morning in Frankfort, noting many of the arrests were made possible because of tips from the public. Sgt. Richard P. Saint-Blancard, with KSP's public affairs branch, said information like this is invaluable to authorities as they begin their investigations.Fifty-seven people were sought in Perry County alone, according to information the agency released on Friday, more than any other county in the state. The second highest number was in Russell County with 32. There could be several reasons for the higher figure in Perry County, Saint-Blancard said, including that officers simply received more tips.“There's no particular area where we're focusing in on,” he said. “I will tell you that if we get more calls, we focus more on that because there's more activity.”Many of Friday's arrests were of individuals believed to have been “low level offenders,” according to a KSP press release, though Brewer said their apprehension can play an important role in gathering information on offenders who may have a larger role in the state's illegal drug economy.“Citizens are tired of perpetual offenders who are disrupting neighborhoods and participating in other criminal mischief,” Brewer said. “While many of the arrests today are low level targets, it is very probably that we will obtain information from them that will lead to arrests of more significant dealers and drug operations.”Every KSP post in the state participated in Friday's round-up, which also utilized assistance from other agencies. In Perry County, officers with the Hazard Police Department assisted.At last check, KSP reported a total of 300 people had been arrested across the state, including 37 in Perry County. The following names of Perry County residents charged on Friday were released this week by the Kentucky State Police:Michael Fryman, second-degree traffic in controlled substance, two countsRichard Sumner, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceRickie Wooton, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, five countsEnos Banks, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, two countsRhoda Minks, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceMark Beverly, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceAaron Amburgey, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceRicky Wooton, second-degree traffic in controlled substanceCarolyn J. Amburgey, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, two countsMark A. Smith, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceLindsay Baker, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceRobert Baker, second-degree traffic in controlled substance, two countsRobin Martin, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, two countsMichael Combs, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, two counts; traffic in controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a schoolMarry Ellen Phillips, second-degree traffic in controlled substanceJamey R. Wooton, first-degree traffic in controlled substance; persistent felony offender IIJason S. Smith, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, three countsWillie J. Adams, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceDanny Messer, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceOdis B. Combs, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, two countsDonald Ray Jenkins, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceBarry Anderson, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceCoolie Callahan, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceVickie Lynn Combs, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceJohnny Joseph, intimidating a participant in the legal process; traffic in marijuana (8 ounces to less than 5 pounds), two counts; first-degree traffic in controlled substance; traffic in marijuana (less than 8 ounces)Jeffery Jent, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, two countsJoshua Slone, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, three countsSteve T. Everage, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceBlake Hurt, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceKatherine Caudill, first-degree traffic in controlled substance; traffic in controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a schoolRaymond Burkhead, second-degree traffic in controlled substance, three countsBurnis Morris, first-degree traffic in controlled substanceJimmy Johnson, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, four countsChristene Jenkins, first-degree traffic in controlled substance, two countsDerek M. Smith, first-degree possession of controlled substance; careless driving; driving on a DUI suspended licenseNorma Fultz, second-degree traffic in controlled substance, three counts